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The Syracuse University football team held its 2014 Media Day on Saturday August 2 at Manley Field House. Head coach Scott Shafer listens to a question. Stephen D. Cannerelli | scannerelli@syracuse.com
(Stephen D. Cannerelli)

2014 Syracuse Football Media DaySyracuse head coach Scott Shafer and player and assistant coaches met with the media Saturday, Aug 2, 2014, for the first time before they start their practice sessions later that day.

Also included in the deal, which is still pending the approval of by U.S. District Judge John Lee according to an Associated Press report, are requirements that each program mandate preseason neurological exams and adhere to a nationwide return-to-play policy.

Players diagnosed with concussions will no longer be allowed to play or practice that same day, and must be cleared by a physician before returning at any time. Coaches and players will also be educated further on head injuries.

At Syracuse's first media opportunity of training camp on Tuesday, Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer said that these new rules won't change the program's current system significantly.

Since he came to Syracuse as the defensive coordinator in 2009, Shafer said SU has been implementing baseline neurological tests to all players before the start of the season.

He also outlined the return-to-play process SU currently has in place.

"Any time a kid has a problem with what may or may not be a concussion, they go straight to (head football athletic trainer) Denny Kellington, who's done a great job here," Shafer said. "We have a whole protocol where our physician actually can do a battery of tests with him. Some kids can come back quick. Some kids it takes a lot longer."

Two Syracuse players in the past year have had their careers cut short due to multiple concussions. Defensive end Tyler Marona suffered his second just less than one year ago and talked about the short-term memory loss that led to the decision for him to stop playing. And offensive tackle Kyle Knapp was diagnosed with three concussions before his career came to a close this spring.

Shafer emphasized his support of the NCAA's partnership with the Department of Defense. The two groups are working together on a $30 million endeavor in hopes of putting together a comprehensive concussion database.

He added that the real key is continuing to study and learn more about concussions and concussion prevention.

Said Shafer: "Nobody really knows what the true science is right now, so it'll be interesting. But to me, it's great that both the NCAA and the ACC are extremely proactive on this."